Wheelchair Basketball Linda Mitchell-Norfolk MSc MCSP

The history Originated at Stoke Mandeville 1948 by Sir Ludwig Guttmann Became subsection of International SM Games Federation 1973 Independent as IWBF in ,000 players worldwide, all ages, recreational to elite

The rules 5 players per team on court at any one time 7 additional players on the bench IWBF rules Players have a functional / disability classification Play is in a specific sports wheelchair It’s a non-contact sport!

Classification Disability is graded and scored between 1 and 4.5 points per player Only 14 points in total are allowed on court at any one time Disabilities vary although usually little UL functional deficit xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Everyday chair v sports chair Everyday chair Basketball chair

Profile of a typical athlete May be ambulant in every day life, but plays sport in a wheelchair eg. Single BKA → full trunk and hip control, opposite leg stabilisation → good balance, and reach A permanent wheelchair user e.g. complete T4 paraplegia → no trunk or lower limb control → restricted balance, limited reach Congenital or acquired disability More male than female players Generally high level of function for the disability

Lesion level and functional ability Level of lesionMotor functionSensation LL AmputeeFullAltered around stump Paraplegia L4- S2 Gluts, and hams affected, but quads OK Absent or altered below knee and groin T11- L3 Iliopsoas, quadratus lumborum, erector spinae, quads affected Absent or altered in leg, and pelvic region T6 - T10 Low intercostals, and erector spinae affectedAffects across trunk T1 –T5Abs absentAffects to chest level Polio, spina bifida etcVaried Arthritis Weakness around affected jointsNone

Functional ability Lie on the floor on your back If you had………….a single AKA lumbar level spina bifida a complete T4 level paraplegia How can you roll over? How can you sit up? Can you sit unsupported? How far can you move your arms before you challenge your balance?

Sports ability In an everyday chair, or on crutches… What can you do? Turn? Stop? Reach? Receive a ball? Train? Now in a sports chair… What can you do? Are there any limitations? Could you improve ability further? Does fixation help?

What does the sport require? Height Reach Speed Balance Team work Risk taking Strategy Explosive pushing / sudden stopping Turning Aggression Personality

Improving performance Increase CV fitness but how ? Increase explosive power Increase endurance Tactics / set moves Improve flexibility Challenge balance Efficiency of push technique Posture Muscle balance especially at the shoulder

Issues to address Travelling Accomodation Team dynamics Maintenance of fitness Recovery

Medical issues Hydration UTI’s Bowels! Pressure areas Shoulder impingement

Injury risks Falls Contusions and abrasions Shoulder problems Finger injuries Others associated with intensity of training / competition programme e.g. more time in wheelchair, longer distances to push / walk, unusual living accomodation

Summary Wheelchair basketball is:- A very dynamic sport Generally played by more active, risk taking participants More exciting than the able-bodied game!

Useful resources Goosey-Tolfrey, V.L. (Ed) (2010) Wheelchair Sport. Human Kinetics. Paralympic World Cup, Manchester, May Basketball World Cup. Birmingham in July